Between the Lines: A podcast about race and diversity in the NFL

4.6 (10)
FOOTBALL
COMPLETE SERIES

Between the Lines is a narrative podcast series hosted by The Athletic's Tashan Reed focusing on the Black experience in the NFL. How players look to speak out after the murder of George Floyd and how coaches and executives look to break through race-based glass ceilings.

03/16/2023

Ep. 1: The Long History of Football and Race

Episode 1 of Between the Lines reviews the major moments in the 100 year history of race and activism in football while placing an emphasis on the inherent conflict between doing so and adhering to the culture of football. Voices in this episode include Doug Williams, Bomani Jones, Jim Trotter, Marcus Thompson II, Devin McCourty, and two of the originators of the Rooney Rule - Cyrus Mehri and Dr. Janice Madden.

45 min
03/16/2023

Ep. 2: The Players

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick set a model for NFL players to follow when discussing matters of race and activism, but something else broke down the wall that led to the modern climate: The murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Episode 2 of Between the Lines reveals how NFL players became activist during the summer of 2020, and their perspective in the ways the league supports and hurts their message. Voices in the episode include former NFL players Doug Baldwin, Devin McCourty, Michael Johnson, and Don Davis.

35 min
03/16/2023

Ep. 3: The Invisible Ceiling

Clarence Shelmon is Eric Bieniemy before Eric Bieniemy. Shelmon was hugely successful as the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers in the late 2000's. In his five years as OC, the Chargers never were lower than a top five offense in the league. Despite the resume - the head coach opportunities never came. Episode 3 of Between the Lines hears from a diverse group of football coaches on the challenges they face advancing their careers in a league that has historically failed them. Voices in the episode include Shelmon, Hue Jackson, Ron Rivera, Sean Desai, and more.

42 min
03/16/2023

Ep. 4: Rumblings of Hope

If there's one area of progress regarding diversity in football, it is in NFL front offices. More than ever in league history, there are more diverse GMs and presidents running franchises. In episode 4 of Between the Lines, host Tashan Reed speaks with a range of front office executives on the challenges and successes they've faced in gaining their positions. Voices in the episode include Doug Williams, Jason Wright, Sandra Douglass Morgan, Rod Graves, Reggie McKenzie, Terry Fontenot and more.

37 min
03/16/2023

Ep. 5: Searching for Answers

In the final episode of Between the Lines, host Tashan Reed looks forward and highlights the prominent few around football who are working towards making the game more equal for all. And at the end, Reed comes to his conclusion after 18 months of reporting for the series. Voices in the episode include Mike Locksley, Richard Lapchick, Rod Graves, Oris Stuart, Jason Wright and more.

39 min

5 Episodes

4.6

out of 5

10 Ratings

Between the Lines is a narrative podcast series hosted by The Athletic's Tashan Reed focusing on the Black experience in the NFL. How players look to speak out after the murder of George Floyd and how coaches and executives look to break through race-based glass ceilings.

Channel

The Athletic Audio+
Creator

The Athletic
Years Active

2K
Episodes

5
Rating

Clean
Provider

The Athletic Media Company

Between the Lines: A podcast about race and diversity in the NFL

Episodes

Ep. 1: The Long History of Football and Race

Ep. 2: The Players

Ep. 3: The Invisible Ceiling

Ep. 4: Rumblings of Hope

Ep. 5: Searching for Answers

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